Category: Solar Systems

California has more rooftop solar panels than any other state; it’s not even close. And for good reason: Not only does the Golden State have the most people, it also has a history of policies designed to encourage people to go solar. While recent changes to the state’s net metering regulations might put a dent in the state’s solar growth, there are plenty of reasons to consider swapping much of your above-average electric bill for a set of solar panels. But making that choice is just the first of many:…

Read More

The US saw a record 210,000 residential solar panel systems installed in the third quarter of 2023, but expensive solar costs could hold back growth next year.  Solar installations have seen a 35% increase in the third quarter of 2023 compared with last year, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie. In addition, solar power has made up nearly half of new electric generating capacity in the first three quarters of the year.  SEIA and Wood Mackenzie predict that by 2028, there…

Read More

A common way to take advantage of solar energy is with a photovoltaic (PV) solar system. With a solar PV system, your solar panels (also called solar modules) convert sunlight into electricity that you can use immediately, store in a solar battery, or send to the electric grid for credits on your electric bill through net metering (depending on where you live). How do solar panels work? Solar panels convert solar energy into usable electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is a property of…

Read More

Read More

NIAC 2011 Phase I Paul Final Report Michael PaulPennsylvania State University Several targets of interest in solar system exploration require non-solar power sources due to permanent shading from craters or clouds or due to extreme distance from the sun. These missions are typically considered with radioisotope power sources, but the scarcity of such fuel reduces the number of missions that NASA can execute in any decade. This study will explore mission architectures to the Moon’s southern Aitken Basin, the surface of Saturn’s moon, Titan, and the surface of Venus that…

Read More

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A few Roanoke City Public Schools are getting a new look and are taking a step toward using solar energy. On Dec. 5, Secure Solar Futures (FSF) announced that it signed a 25-year Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Roanoke City Public Schools. This agreement allows the company, a provider of on-site clean energy to schools, hospitals, and businesses, to develop a 1.7-megawatt solar power system at seven schools. FSF also provides the school district with on-site solar power at no cost over the next…

Read More

It depends on the total wattage of your solar panel system and the sunshine available. Under favorable conditions, 100 W panels can generate around 300 to 400 Wh per day. Larger residential panels can generate more than 300 W each, equaling a daily output of over 1,000 Wh.

Read More

Follow these steps to calculate your expected solar payback period and solar ROI: 1. Add Up Your Total Initial Solar Costs Costs include the price of equipment and labor, permits, inspections, taxes and other fees. For example, you may pay $22,800 upfront for your solar panel system. 2. Apply Tax Credits and Other Incentives Most homeowners qualify for a 30% federal tax credit on the total cost of their system. You may also qualify for several state and local incentives that can reduce your initial cost. With incentives applied, you’ll…

Read More

Oregon’s solar power production has grown significantly in the last decade, new state data shows. The Oregon Department of Energy’s recently published solar dashboard shows how solar-generated electricity, both at utility scale and rooftop solar, has grown throughout the state since 1986. The dashboard also shows which counties are producing solar, the increase in residential solar system sizes and the average cost per watt. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: “Solar has really taken off in Oregon and one of the main stories that has driven that adoption of solar is the…

Read More

The Gaza Strip has an estimated 12,400 rooftop solar systems, likely representing the highest density in the world. Despite damage they still provide dwindling power. A new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) details the role of solar power in Wartime Gaza. Based on extensive and detailed study of commercial satellite imagery, the report underlines both the resilience and vulnerability of small-scale solar power systems in conflict zones. Co-authored by CSIS’ Middle East program deputy director, Will Todman, and colleagues, Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun,…

Read More